«ORIGIN Middle English wæs hæil [be in (good) health!] : from Old Norse ves heill (compare with hail 2 ). The drinking formula wassail (and the reply drinkhail [drink good health] ) were probably introduced by Danish-speaking inhabitants of England, and then spread, so that by the 12th cent. the usage was considered by the Normans to be characteristic of Englishmen.»